District 6 Spring newsletter

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In this Issue 


Message from Council Member Dorfman

As your Metropolitan Council representative serving the cities of Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, St. Louis Park and part of Minneapolis, I am pleased to send you this newsletter update. I also encourage you to contact me whenever you have questions or comments pertaining to Met Council issues. You can reach me at: Gail.Dorfman@metc.state.mn.us

I have served on the Met Council for two years and continue to be impressed with the diligent planning, outreach, and collaboration that goes into developing policies and services that benefit our entire region. Having previously served for more than 20 years in city and county government, I am a strong believer in the importance of having a regional body that works in partnership with local communities to promote equity and the overall economic vitality of our metropolitan area.

At the Met Council, whether we’re discussing issues of transportation, affordable housing, or the environment, we recognize that no issue can be addressed in a vacuum. The Metro Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) at the Met Council provides affordable housing to 6500 low income households across our region. Those 6500 households, and all of us who live in the Twin Cities, deserve access to a range of transportation options to get around. I worry that proposed legislative cuts to our transit system will severely impede our ability to get to work or to school and negatively impact the quality of life we’ve come to expect from our award-winning transit system. (Metro Transit was named as the 2016 outstanding system of the year by the American Public Transportation Association!)

I’m also the executive director of St. Stephen’s Human Services, a nonprofit agency in Minneapolis that helps people who are homeless secure shelter, housing and other services. Recently my work at St. Stephen’s intersected with my role at the Met Council. There’s been a dramatic increase over the past year of people using transit as shelter, often riding buses/LRT all night or sleeping at transit stations. At St. Stephen’s, we’re working with Sgt. Mario Roberto and Metro Transit Police to connect people who are homeless to the shelter and services they need. Metro Transit Police have also been spreading the word about the new Adult Shelter Connect at St. Olaf Church in downtown Minneapolis where people experiencing homelessness can make reservations for shelter beds. This is just one example of how systems working together, in this case law enforcement and social services, can make a difference for people in need in our region.

If there is an issue that involves the Met Council where I can be helpful, please let me know. 

Sincerely, 

Gail

Metropolitan Council - District 6

Gail Dorfman is the Met Council representative for the Met Council, representing Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, St. Louis Park, and southwest Minneapolis.


Council pilots new grant program to fund integrated water solutions

The Council is accepting applications for the Green Infrastructure Pilot Grant Program, which will fund integrated solutions to water-related problems in the Twin Cities metro area. Key problems the Council seeks to address are water quantity, water quality, and aging and inadequate infrastructure. Deadline for applications is July 17. More about the new grant program


Bicycle barriers study requests your help

Despite the strong growth in the region's bicycle transportation system in the last decade, many physical barriers exist that get in the way of safe and efficient bicycle transportation. The Council is studying these barriers - rivers and streams, railroad corridors, and freeways and expressways. We need your help to assess existing barrier crossings and identify possible locations for developing new barrier crossings. Log on to an interactive wikimap to share where you experience problems crossing barriers and where you would like to see new crossings.


Comment now on potential transit fare increase

The Metropolitan Council is seeking public input on a proposal to raise transit fares in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Proposed fare increases would affect all regional transit services, including those operated by Metro Transit, Metro Mobility, the Metropolitan Council, (including Transit Link and suburban service), and suburban transit providers (Maple Grove Transit, Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, Plymouth MetroLink, and SouthWest Transit). Transit fares, under state law and regional policy must be set on a regional basis and be consistent across providers.

We have a public hearing in Minneapolis at the Minneapolis Central Library on May 31 at noon. There are two open houses that are in or adjacent to our district in Edina on June 8th at 6:30 p.m. the Southdale Library located at 7001 York Ave. South and another in Minneapolis on June 13 at 6 p.m. at the North Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Avenue N.


Transit at the Capitol

Legislative leaders are working to pass a transportation bill before session ends on May 22. Visit Transit at the Capitol for the latest information.

Learn more at the status of Transit at the Capitol

You can read more about the transportation proposals and the latest news coverage at the “Transit at the Capitol” website. We’ll update the website regularly, so you can stay up to date on the latest transit news.

District 6

District map and description


Service Updates

Environmental Services: 

Check out our new Council video, "Infrastructure: our region's foundation"

    Metro Mobility: 

    See New Metro Mobility Behind the Scenes Video

    Metro Transit 

    Get Rider Alerts during the summer construction season

      Why are Metro Transit officers occasionally accompanied by DHS officers?

        Metro Transit installs new solar array


          In the News

            Twin Cities Bike to Work Day is May 19

              Family first, Legislature pauses budget battle to let a senator see her ailing dad

              Big gaps remain between Dayton, lawmakers

              Southwest LRT to cost Hennepin County more with end of transit board

              Yes, it's a big deal that money for Southwest LRT was in the federal budget. And, yes, it could still be killed

              Proposed transit bill would hurt all of Minnesota

              A majority of Minnesotan support using taxpayer dollars to build two planned Twin Cities light rail lines

              Editorial: Keep buses running and our workforce mobile


              Contact Information 

              Gail Dorfman
              Metropolitan Council Offices
              390 Robert St North
              Saint Paul, MN 55101

              Phone: 612.998.5214

              gail.dorfman@metc.state.mn.us


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